Think Like a Scientist with Darius Brown
Welcome to the Modern Classrooms Project Podcast. Each week we bring you discussions with educators on how they use blended, self-paced, and mastery-based learning to better serve their learners. In this episode, Toni Rose Deanon is joined by Darius Brown, a passionate high school chemistry teacher, who shares his journey into education and his innovative approach to teaching.
Darius emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, highlighting the need to teach students "how to learn" rather than just the subject matter.
Here are three key takeaways from this podcast episode:
A Metacognitive Pedagogical Approach: Darius utilizes a variety of techniques to captivate students, including edu-tainment videos, interactive activities, and personalized learning experiences. His "chem guides" provide students with clear instructions and video timestamps, making learning more accessible and efficient. He states, "I feel like I'm teaching them how to learn, how to think of this stuff that really gets them to buy in." This sows the seeds for long-terms success in school, especially when paired with a traditionally difficult course that might otherwise create a sink-or-swim atmosphere.
The Power of the Modern Classroom Model: The Modern Classroom model has significantly impacted Darius’s teaching practices, allowing him to create a more student-centered and flexible learning environment. This model has led to increased student engagement and improved academic outcomes. Darius adds, "I think I've hit my stride. I'm at that point in life, nice and organized, that's part of it, and that's also from Modern Classroom."
The Joy of Teaching: Darius’s enthusiasm for teaching is evident in his approach. He encourages teachers to embrace their individuality and find joy in the learning process. By incorporating his personality and interests into his lessons, he creates a more authentic and memorable learning experience for his students.
Discussion questions for PLC and PD:
How can we effectively incorporate personalized learning and self-paced instruction into our classrooms, especially in subjects like chemistry that are often perceived as rigid and structured?
What strategies can we employ to foster a positive and engaging classroom culture that encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity?
How can we balance the demands of teaching, coaching, and professional development while maintaining work-life balance?
Our Host
Toni Rose taught MS English for 10 years and will forever identify as a teacher. Toni Rose strives to be the teacher that they never had growing up and wants to create a brave space for everyone around them. They understand just how important it is to be represented, be valued, and belong. They especially love being a thought partner for and celebrating teachers.
Our Guests
Darius Brown
Darius Brown is a High School Chemistry Teacher who is trying to change the game. He started off in the industry of Chemistry and has been able to acquire a dynamic skill set. He attended the University at Buffalo where he obtained a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry and performed undergraduate research in a Materials Chemistry laboratory, and then went to the University of Illinois and obtained a Masters with a thesis on the development of ultrasensitive sensors using functional DNA, an amplification reaction, and Gold nanoparticles. After school he worked as a Lead Lab technician in the quality control department of Chobani and then took his talents to Cornell University working as a Hazardous Materials Chemist.
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